Does Aurora’s Police Chief Want To Be Denver’s Next Chief?

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DENVER (CBS4) – Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates is not denying he may be interested in moving across city lines and becoming Denver’s next police chief.

Asked by CBS4 if he has put in an application for the job of Denver police chief or if he planned on applying for the soon-to-be-open position, Oates answer, provided by an aide, suggested interest in becoming Denver’s top cop.

“In response to your inquiry, Chief Oates has not submitted a letter of intent or ‘application’ for the job of police chief of Denver. The Denver police chief job is currently filled by an excellent chief and no such vacancy exists. We will not be providing further comment on this matter,” wrote Bob Friel, an aide to Oates.

In the statement, Oates never denied interest in becoming Denver’s top cop.

Denver Mayor-Elect Michael Hancock has said he will replace current Denver Police Chief Gerry Whitman, and a transition committee for Hancock is working on the selection process.

Oates has been Aurora’s police chief since 2005, overseeing a department of 778 officers. Prior to that, he was the chief of police in Ann Arbor, Mich.